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Slater
10-01-17, 14:40
Regarding rotary-barrel pistols, the only ones that come to mind are the Beretta PX4, Grand Power's K100/Q100 series, and the new Glock 46. Obviously not a widely used design. What are the positives and negatives of this type barrel?
matthewpittinger
10-01-17, 14:55
I would say the biggest advantage is that it allows for a lower bore axis which makes for a softer shooting gun that stays flatter under recoil. The biggest Disadvantage would have to be that because of the rotating barrel it might be more prone to getting gummed up with debris. However rotating bolts in long guns have a proven track record or reliability.


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Talon167
10-01-17, 18:02
Stoeger Cougar as well.
mig1nc
10-05-17, 18:49
As a former owner of a rotary action gun, I can say they definitely shoot softly.

My perception is that it seems like the rotating action seems to consume some energy from the system.

You can sort of think of the explosion as generating a finite amount of energy, and driving the rotating action seems to bleed off more than say a Browning action would.

That's my take on it anyway.

I could be completely incorrect.

There have been others, but in modern times the Beretta/Stoeger and Grand Power designs have thus far been the only successful ones.

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El Pistolero
10-05-17, 20:40
My understanding is greater mechanical accuracy and lower recoil are the main benefits. I was underwhelmed by the Gen 5 Glocks but the Glock 46 is much more interesting and I'd love to get one if it ever comes to the USA.
HCM
10-06-17, 22:06
Steyr - Hahn M1912 - Nothing new under the sun.
1168
10-07-17, 09:30
I measured the barrel's length of travel rearward on three pistols. These are crude-ish measurements taken at the muzzle with the slide in battery and again at the muzzle with the slide locked to the rear.

1911full size 5.5mm barrel travel
Kahr CW9 5.5mm barrel travel
PX4 full size 11mm barrel travel

I bet this contributes to the way the recoil feels during firing.
Ballistic Agency
10-07-17, 11:38
I think the PX4 shoots softly because 1) it has a rotating barrel 2) it has a heavy slide 3) it has a big grip and 4) is heavy for a polymer gun.

To answer the original post, I think the big advantage is it's easier to hammer forge a rotating barrel.

So far, my Ernest Langdon PX4 CC has been awesome. Very easy to shoot for a compact DASA gun, has an accurate hammer forged chrome lined barrel, is reliable, super smooth trigger, and conceals well.
Slater
10-07-17, 11:56
IIRC, when the PX4 first came on the market there were issues of slides jamming/freezing. That seems to have been resolved some time ago but some folks steer clear of the PX4 because of those early issues.
ramairthree
10-07-17, 12:27
In the world of modern pistol system platforms,
They have a few undesirable features.

(For those that have not heard me on this kick before,
A modern service pistol platform is available in a range of full sized game guns, full sized offensive guns, regular service pistol sized, officer/Centurion types, compact, and sub compact. With magazine compatibility, some degree of accessory, holster compatibility. Most companies have this now. Think Glock, M&P, XDM, CZ, etc.)

On your full sized offensive guns, they are not a conveniently suppressable design.
The action system seems fine for service/compact, but difficult to make it work with subcompact.

The only advantage over more popular designs is that for a given size/weight of a gun, their is some mitigation of perceived recoil.
1986s4
10-07-17, 12:33
I put a few round through rotating barrel pistol marked as a Mauser a few years ago, I do not remember the model. It was a .40 and rather small. It also seemed to shoot rather soft for it's size and caliber. Given what I've heard from others regarding rotating barrel pistols the common thread seems to be that they shoot soft.
ramairthree
10-07-17, 13:09
What is even out there now?

I have the mini, mid, and regular Cougars.
I have the full, mid, and subcompact PX4s (the SC is not really a PX4 it just looks like one and has a different non rotating action).
I have shot a guy’s grandpower at the range.

What am I missing that is easily/frequently seen?
Slater
10-07-17, 13:13
Grand Power's Q100 is fairly new to the market (I believe), and I haven't heard a lot of feedback on it.
montrala
10-09-17, 03:46
and the new Glock 46.

That is practically a copy of CZ 22/24/28 (Nickl patent) from before WW2. In those times, every new type of locking was immediately patented. So it was either to pay patent fees or invent new type of locking. This led to wide variety of locking systems used in early years of automatic pistols. Now, when all those patents are long expired, we no longer need to to that.

Then why? I always tell, that if you want to enter competitive market you need either (or preferably at 2 of those):

1. Be better.
2. Be cheaper.
3. Be different.

Those days use of rotating barrel serves point nr. 3.
Drifting Fate
10-09-17, 18:18
So far, my Ernest Langdon PX4 CC has been awesome. Very easy to shoot for a compact DASA gun, has an accurate hammer forged chrome lined barrel, is reliable, super smooth trigger, and conceals well.

Not to derail this thread, but just bought a PX4 CC on a whim due to the Langdon name more than anything else (and I've had good luck with Berettas overall and wanted a "G" model DA/SA and my dealer couldn't find a Wilson Beretta.) Anyway - any words of wisdom for how to treat it well? Grease, oil, secret handshakes?
Screwball
10-09-17, 18:26
Grease the barrel and locking block interaction points, then similar to how you normally lubricate a slide operated firearm (rails).
1168
10-09-17, 21:24
Not to derail this thread, but just bought a PX4 CC on a whim due to the Langdon name more than anything else (and I've had good luck with Berettas overall and wanted a "G" model DA/SA and my dealer couldn't find a Wilson Beretta.) Anyway - any words of wisdom for how to treat it well? Grease, oil, secret handshakes?

I'm currently working through a 2000 rnd challenge in my new PX4 fullsize. It is my first gun of this type. I did a brief break in with ~120 rnds and gave it a quick cleaning. I installed a "G" lopro selector and a "D" spring. Then I hit all metal surfaces with a light coat of CLP, followed by generous application of TW25b on surfaces that looked to need lube. I'm ~500 rnds into the challenge with zero stoppages plus zero stoppages during the break in rounds.

I don't expect this gun to be maintenance queen.

Edit: rounds fired have included 115 ball (Blazer brass and NATO types) 115 gun show reloads (completely random headstamps), 124 Hydrashoks, 124 XTP's, 147 white box ball, and 147 Win Defend. My intent is to carry it with 147 gr HP's.
MSparks909
10-09-17, 22:19
I've been running the Lucas Extreme Duty gun oil on my guns lately. Seems to work well on my PX4s. I usually add a couple drops every 1,000 rounds or so. I have 6 PX4s and they all run well. My highest round count PX4 is one of my PX4 CCs...6,200 rounds. Didn't clean it for the first 4,200. The first 2,000 were the 2K Round Challenge, then I added a couple of drops and pushed it to 3,000. Added a few drops and finally felt guilty and cleaned it at 4,200. No issues. These guns just run and run.

Also, per Beretta they don't require any spring replacements until 20,000 rounds. That's approaching HK P30 maintenance intervals.
Drifting Fate
10-10-17, 19:34
I've been running the Lucas Extreme Duty gun oil on my guns lately. Seems to work well on my PX4s. I usually add a couple drops every 1,000 rounds or so. I have 6 PX4s and they all run well. My highest round count PX4 is one of my PX4 CCs...6,200 rounds. Didn't clean it for the first 4,200. The first 2,000 were the 2K Round Challenge, then I added a couple of drops and pushed it to 3,000. Added a few drops and finally felt guilty and cleaned it at 4,200. No issues. These guns just run and run.

Also, per Beretta they don't require any spring replacements until 20,000 rounds. That's approaching HK P30 maintenance intervals.

Gotta admit, that's a great record. Thank you for sharing.
Drifting Fate
10-10-17, 19:35
I'm currently working through a 2000 rnd challenge in my new PX4 fullsize. It is my first gun of this type. I did a brief break in with ~120 rnds and gave it a quick cleaning. I installed a "G" lopro selector and a "D" spring. Then I hit all metal surfaces with a light coat of CLP, followed by generous application of TW25b on surfaces that looked to need lube. I'm ~500 rnds into the challenge with zero stoppages plus zero stoppages during the break in rounds.

I don't expect this gun to be maintenance queen.

Edit: rounds fired have included 115 ball (Blazer brass and NATO types) 115 gun show reloads (completely random headstamps), 124 Hydrashoks, 124 XTP's, 147 white box ball, and 147 Win Defend. My intent is to carry it with 147 gr HP's.

The more I read and watch about the PX4 Storm series, the more I wonder why I waited so long to personally mess with one. Their reputation for feeding just about everything seems to be very consistent.
1168
10-17-17, 08:03
There's another rotating barrel available now. The Bond Arms BullPup9. Its even odd-er than the rest.